"Warm water increases blood flow to joints, plus the
heat increases the flexibility of the joints, ... And because of buoyancy,
there is less force on the joint, so that one can exercise without pain".
John Klippel, president of the Arthritis Foundation

The History of
Hydrotherapy

Hydrotherapy, in various forms, has been around for
centuries. One of the first instructional books about hydrotherapy was written
in 1697 by an English physician named John Floyer. Since that time, numerous
medical practitioners have become renowned for using methods of hydrotherapy to
cure all kinds of ailments, some of them ones which had been previously thought
incurable.

In the early 20th century, hydrotherapy became a
popular treatment being used by naturopathic physicians. Two of the most famous
practitioners of that era were Henry Lindlahr and Benedict Lust. These two
combined hydrotherapy with other holistic treatments such as homeopathy and
herbal medicine and helped treat thousands of people.

How Hydrotherapy
Works

Hydrotherapy, formerly known as hydropathy, involves the use
of water at different temperatures to relieve pain and treat illnesses. Over
the past decades the term hydrotherapy has become synonymous with the words
‘water cure.’ There are a number of different forms of hydrotherapy, each
designed to be used for specific health issues and cures. These include:

Nasal Lavage

This particular treatment involves the use of tepid filtered
water or water mixed with a little sea salt poured into a syringe or neti pot
and used to rinse out the nasal passages. This is extremely useful for flushing
bacteria and toxins from the nasal cavities and sinuses. Nasal lavage can be
used to treat sinus and nasal irritation, seasonal allergies and hay fever.

Hot/Cold Sinus
Compress

This treatment uses two face towels, one bowl of hot water
and one bowl of cold water. Each towel is soaked in a bowl of water. Each towel
is then wrung out and placed alternately across the nasal and sinus area of the
face for around thirty seconds each. This treatment can be performed morning
and evening if you are suffering from
irritated nasal passages or sinuses and can also be used in conjunction with
nasal lavage. This method helps to drain the sinuses, reducing pressure and
alleviating pain and tenderness.

Hot/Cold Sitz Bath

This form of hydrotherapy involves two immersion baths in
which the water can cover the buttocks and hips with the patient sitting down.
One of the baths should contain hot water about 106-110 degrees Fahrenheit. The
other should contain cold water at around 55 – 75 degrees Fahrenheit. The patient alternates between sitting in the
hot bath for around three minutes and then in the cold bath for around thirty
seconds. This method of hydrotherapy is particularly useful for ailments such
as vaginal infections, pelvic inflammatory diseases, hemorrhoids,
constipations, prostate problems, chronic urinary tract infections and pelvic
congestion.

Constitutional
Hydrotherapy

This is a special hydrotherapy technique that can be used
for the treatment of a broad range of acute conditions including AIDS, cancer,
arthritis, fibromyalgia, heart disease, digestive disorders and detoxification.
For this treatment the patient lies down and his bare back, chest and abdomen are
covered with two thicknesses of towel that have been soaked in hot water then
wrung out (the temperature must be bearable to the touch). The towels are left
in place for around five minutes then removed and replaced with towels wrung
out in cold water for ten minutes. The towels are only removed once they have
become warm. The treatment is repeated on the front and back of the body and
all-in-all should take around 30 minutes.

Colonic Irrigation

Colonic irrigation, also known as colonic hydrotherapy is a
natural way of cleansing and detoxing the colon. It can prevent constipation,
irritable bowel disorders, cancer and improve general health. For a colonic
irrigation a qualified practitioner will usually use a water enema to flush out
the lower gastrointestinal tracts. During the procedure large amounts of water
will be flushed through the colon by means of a tube inserted into the rectum.

The Functions of
Hydrotherapy

Hydrotherapy has been used to treat a broad range of
ailments including:

Inflammation
of the joints and muscles

Management
of chronic pain

Post-surgical
pain

Stress
and anxiety

Poor
circulation

Rehabilitation
after injuries

Relief
of trauma

Improvement
of sugar levels for people with diabetes

Reduction
of high blood pressure

Relief
of insomnia

Reduction
of symptoms of arthritis and rheumatism

Relief
from the discomfort of fibromyalgia

Reduction
of symptoms for people with multiple sclerosis

Hydrotherapy Precautions

People
who suffer from or have suffered from frostbite, nerve damage or poor
sensitivity of the skin should only take a course of hydrotherapy
treatment under the advice and close observation of a fully trained
practitioner.

If you
are using hot tubs or hydrotherapy units in your home, you should always
ensure that they are treated and cleaned on a regular basis as they are
breeding grounds for bacteria.

Colonic
irrigation should only be performed by a qualified health care
practitioner.

FAQs

Can hydrotherapy be
painful?

Hydrotherapy should never be painful. Its aim is to relax
and relieve pains and tension.

Can hydrotherapy
worsen a condition?

Hydrotherapy is a gentle, non-invasive practice that relaxes
the whole body and promotes total wellness. On rare occasions, due to the release
of toxins, it may result in symptoms such as headaches, perspiration and mild
nausea. These symptoms are temporary and not serious.

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